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I had some models that didn't seem to fit my major themes. I didn't want to display them in a group to which they didn't belong. What to do? Why, build a diorama using those misfits.

I built this dio some time ago, long before I saw some of the excellent work done by others on the Forum. I hesitated to show it. My style is somewhat different because I try to include a little humor. (Note the use of the cartoony figurines.) The diorama fits on a narrow shelf. Not much room, but I included several scenes under the theme "Road Trips."

The whole shelf/diorama. The background is a road map with visa stamps on the sides. Normally, all the cars have my standard label (make, model, year, country, logo), but I've removed them for these photos.

I had a couple of La Route Bleue dios that were too big for my limited shelf space. I incorporated them into my diorama without altering them except to add grass, gravel and shrubs.

The original.

Now these folks are part of a larger scene in which they are holding up traffic in this no passing zone.
(Some of those aforementioned labels did not get removed for this pic.)

This is another La Route Bleue dio. I've added new ground cover. You can see the original "grass" under the Renault. A hedge hides the edge of the dio base.

These gents have pulled off the highway to visit this roadside memorial (which, as you can see, birds have visited also).

On the right side, some fellows (and an elephant which my SO placed, trying to be funny ) wait to board a bus. Also, a state trooper has a discussion with a couple in their BMW. The post card on the side has a caption that says "Traveling on Beautiful Interstate 35." Yes, that's what I-35 looks like, and no, they weren't trying to be funny.

Perhaps the naked baby in the back seat has influenced the cop's opinion of these scofflaws.

EDIT: This dio has been modified somewhat since I took these pictures. The Leyland bus is gone (not 1:43 anyway), replaced by a stalled 1953 Buick, hood up, with a couple arguing. Cars have been changed (upgraded ); a motorcycle added. And there are a few more animals (a orangutan has joined the picnickers). This is a shelf in my IKEA bookshelves with IKEA LED lighting and glass doors.

RT

Last edited by Featherless_Biped on Thu Jan 25, 2018 4:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Love your work, RT. My mind inclines towards humour in dios, I just think it adds to their innocent charm.

(Although when I told my lady about the WW2 Hospital Ship I am building, and my diorama plan to have a submarine periscope poking out of the water in the distance, she thought that was in very poor taste indeed, so this humour caper is always a risky business to embark upon…)

Here are more misfit models for which I had no themes. This is another diorama on a shelf which might be called a “dio duo.” I say duo because there are really two dioramas here separated by topography and a chain link fence.

This is a photo of the whole shelf where you can see a section on the left with a theme of “bad behavior.” On the right the theme could be “life at the truck stop.” I’ve mounted a few vintage ads for model cars on the back wall of the shelf. Labels identifying the models are arranged along the front of the shelf. Again, don’t take these too seriously.

Life at the Truck Stop.

I’ve integrated a ready-made Schuco diorama of a gas station. That diorama is on a plastic base which is over 1/2 inch thick. The base is still intact, and that accounts for the higher elevation of the right side of the dio. I’ve added a couple of vintage soda machines on the left.

A couple of guys evaluating the problems of this old Ford.

Advice to the guy with the high water pants – keep your hands off the Jeep or you will answer to Sarge and his dog.

Taking a lunch break on the International KB-12.

The wrecker driver is a big guy, but the boss has brought his men to talk about how his Lambo was dropped.

Bad Behavior. The local police have arrived, responding to a report that the Amazon Gang was gathering here.

Confrontation. It’s a version of good cop/bad cop. One has a night stick, the other has a box of doughnuts. What’s it gonna be, fella?

Unknown to the cops, there’s a craps game going on. (Yeah, I know – there's no cars here. But there is a pile of car tires. )

Since I made these dioramas, I’ve acquired more misfit models, but I’ll not be making more dioramas for them. Too much time and space are required.

EDIT: I have made some changes since I took these photos years ago. I've added some dogs, a car jack, junk barrels and crates, a Harley motorcycle, and a fire hydrant. (Oh yeah, I've had some fun with this. ) But the biggest change was the addition of vintage models to the rear wall of the shelf. I mounted the old Dinky, Matchbox and Corgi models that are advertised.

RT

Last edited by Featherless_Biped on Thu Jan 25, 2018 6:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.

The only 'pre-made' that I was aware were the La Route Bleu, but even those have taken on a new life with your creativity and humour! Who though such a story could be told this way. And yes, some are very cartoonish, particularly the 'gang' around the tire mound. That seen keeps sparking in my mind the opening sequence of the old 'Fat Albert' cartoon, but maybe that's just me?